The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-07
THE SHARP TRIAL.
Judge Barrett Takes Decisive Action in Refer
ence to the Charges of Embracery.

ence to the Charges of Embracery.
|
NEW YORK, June 6.-To- day was busy day in
| the Court of Oyer and Termiuer. where Jacob
| Sharp is being tried for bribery. One huudre
and sixty-one persons who have been summoned
| jurors in the case. but had not responded
| when their names were called, had been ordered
| to appear and show cause why they should not
be punished for contempt The court had also
set apart this morning for investigating the
charge made last week by the district attorney
that attempts to corruptlv influence the jurors
had been made. Juror No. 0, John Fl. Hudson
was the first witness called Before he was
sworn, Parsons, for the defense, objected to
this TO 1vestigation, aud Judge Barrett
went that there were allegations made
that indics that some one was either guilty of
the crime of embracery. at least of tenn p
of court. The Court of Appeals has held that in
these cases the court cannot on its own motion,
commit or punish in contempt ON the trial of
criminal indictment in such a case as this. nor
can the district attorney, on his motion, procure
an investigation. Such proceedings can only be
made on motion of the defendant. The district
attorney had no power TO procure the afidavits
the defense asked for The only course the dis
trict attorney had was to make his state ments,
which were made on the invitation of the de-
PENDANT, and the court understands that the de-
Tense courts such investigation, and the wit
nesses were summoned to be examined here
to-day. AS the court understands it. the de-
fense asks that proceeding not allowed by law
be taken and an investigation had which would
be no Investigation. Though the court does not
suppose that the counsel for the defense think
this Is the status of the case. but such it is sub
stantially.
Mr.. Parsons objected to this position, and
stated that Mr. Sharpe was compelled to chal
lenge the district attorney after the publication,
on Thursday. with reference to the matter,
which had probably been procured by the dis
trict attorney. Now it appears that after the
district attorney has made his most remarkable
statement, he discovers that he cannot move in
the matter and the court learns that it cannot
Judge Barrett knew it all the while The
trouble is that the defense wants to resort to
impossible way but this is the only proper way.
Mr. Parsons-We have objections to pro-
ceeding Before the Jury or not is immateriaL
Mr. Hudson was sworn, and said that last
Thursday afternoon acquaintance named
said: ooh. you're on the Sharp jury. Don't be
hard on the old man" 1 remembered what the
judge had said about talking about the case, and
checked him. Mr.. Hudson said he did not want
to be excused because of that reason.
Judge Barrett-On this deposition being
signed. will issue warrant for Hoagland's ap-
prehension.
Charles Kohnweiler the eighth juror, who
was excused last Tuesday. was sworn, and said
communications. He told the reporters he had
received anonymous letters because he thought
they were irresponsible parties.
Judge Barrett (disgustedly THAT will do;
you lied to the reporters, Mr.. Kohn weiler.
George Rupfel was sworn, and testified that
he was summoned as juror two weeks ago Sat
urGay. Before L received my notice. two young
men called at my place and said: You on
the Sharp jury, and wish was on the jury. L
could make $4,000 or $25.0U0. L said 1 had not
been notified was on the jury. They said
could puff my cigar, and say have made up my
opinion. / said L smoked no cigars. They said
/ could get to be foreman | thought this was all
fool ishp nd Said ali HAY wis hpd
they had the chance had. swore at them.
and left them"
The witness said his acquaintance with Mr..
MARITIME was slight. He said he had talked with
Mr.. MARITIME after the affair at his place of bust
ness.
George Fl. Sutton, who had been excused from
the box on the peremptory challenge of the de-
tense, testified that week ago last Thursday
gentleman named Warner called at his office.
He said he wanted to ask me if l wanted to get
off the jury. I said 1 did. He asked me if
was for the prosecution, and said did not want
to talk to him. told him was engaged. He
said, You'll get off the next day l probably
told Mr.. MARITIME that Mr.. Warder said chal-
1enge.' but that not the language. l ex-
pected to be challenged next day, as was. and
told the district attorney of Warmers visit"
Judge Barrett will issue a warrant for the
arrest of Warner on your deposition.
Lewis H. Raymond. another juror who was
approached with reference the Sharp case,
knew George W. Lynch. of the Christopher and
West Tenth street road He saw him last Sat |
urday, unexpectedly, and the conversation drift |
CD TO the Snarp trial. he SAID there was a man |
in my neiehborhood drawn the jury, and he |
wanted to know if L would see him and ask him |
to be lenient with the old man. / did not know
any of the jurors. When told Mr. MARITIME of |
this occurrence, said L wanted notoriety in |
the matter L met Lynch again last Saturday. |
He said was a nice fellow, and had placed him |
in embarrassing position. / told him that | |
had been subpPnaed to appear here to day, and |
he said that he had. too, and asked me what | |
was going to swear to, and said was going to |
tell the truth of the matter He said, substan-
italy, that l was bad case"
This closed the evidence, and the court n
nouuced that it would issue a warrant for at
tenn pied embracery against Lynch Hoagland |
and Warner will be indicted for embracery and
Lynch for attempt, and be tried by n jury. If
they are be punished suEsmarily the defense
must so move.
Judge Barrett-We will not call Lynch, as he
is an accused party.
The courtroom overcrowded by two
panels of jurors and the 16l delinqueuts that
Judge Barrett excused all but the witnesses for
the people and those required to show cause why
they should not be punished for contempt. The
roll of deiinquents called, and the Judge
directed that those not answering be arrested
on non Dallab1e attachments. Among those who
Jailed to answer were Tony Pastor, Richard K
Fox Louis l.. IJoriliard, Daniel Il. Dickinson
and Hamilton Mex Twombly. Mr.. Fox came
n afterward.
The work of getting jury was then con-
tinued.
Fighinc the Flies.
PI>ftC EI-T I,.vn I'D 1,,nlr